Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 7:1-6

The Danger of Compromise

(Part 2)

Intro.

1. Review Part 1:

2. Compromise: “a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc. by reciprocal modification of demands” (dictionary.com).

a. Positively: Some circumstances it is proper, 1 Cor. 6:7; 8:13; 9:19-23.

b. Negatively: It is capitulation, "referring to a 'surrender' of objectives, principles, or material” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compromise).

3. King Solomon and his wives: Great sin of compromise, 1 Kgs. 11:1-8.

a. God’s blessings and conditions to maintain His favor, 1 Kgs. 3:5-9, 10-14.

b. Conditional blessings: Be distinct, pure, etc., 1 Kgs. 9:3-9.

c. Solomon’s compromise caused God to be angry and led to the division of the kingdom, 1 Kgs. 11:9-10.

4. We are warned against moral and doctrinal compromise, 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Gal. 1:6-10; Eph. 5:8-11; 2 Jno. 9-11.

I. COMPROMISE IN KING SOLOMON’S LIFE:

A. Unlawful Marriages, 1 Kgs. 11:1-3 (Deut. 7:3-4).

1. Sinful marriages and their evil influence, Neh. 13:26-27.

a. Today, marriage to unbeliever is not sin (1 Cor. 7:12-14).

b. But, additional challenges and temptations exist, 1 Pet. 3:1-2.

2. Multiplied wives, Deut. 17:17. (cf. 1 Kgs. 3:1)

3. Applications:

a. Know the value of a godly partner (1 Pet. 3:2; 1 Cor. 7:15).

b. Don’t compromise Christ’s marriage law (Matt. 19:4-6, 9).

-(Today, a “foreign” woman would be one not free to marry/remarry, cf. Mk. 6:17-18; Matt. 5:32).

B. False Worship, 1 Kgs. 11:5-8.

1. Can take the form of direct participation, 11:5, 7; 1 Cor. 10:21.

2. Can take the form of encouraging it in others, 11:8.

3. Can take the form of changing the action of worship while trying to keep the same God (1 Kgs. 12:28-33).

4. Applications:

a. We must not worship other gods. (Col. 3:5; cf. Exo. 20:3)

b. By suggesting or leaving the impression by our silence that any kind of worship pleases God (Jno. 4:24).

c. By supporting those who practice false worship (2 Jno. 9-10).

d. By refusing to mark and turn away from those who practice false worship (ecumenism; unity in diversity), Rom. 16:17.

C. Compromise Causes:

1. God’s wrath to be stirred up, 1 Kgs. 11:9; cf. Rev. 2:14-15.

2. The loss of God’s blessings, 1 Kgs. 11:11 (cf. 9:5).

3. Still more compromise, 1 Kgs. 12:28-33; Gal. 5:9 (2 Tim. 3:13).

Conclusion

1. Compromise may be fine in politics and in solving disputes between two enemies; fine in resolving differences of judgment among brethren (cf. Acts 15:36-40).

2. But, it is deadly to our souls when it comes to honoring and obeying the God of heaven and earth, 2 Cor. 6:17.

3. Contend earnestly for the faith and endure hardship as good soldiers of the cross, Jude 3; 2 Tim. 2:3-4.